Founded 15 years ago by David Cliff, Gedanken is a community of professionals, all committed to offering individuals, business and public service thoughtful and flexible services to support, grow and develop people, improve mental well being; manage conflict as well as promote positive places to work and positive communities to live in.
David says: “Companies pay me a lot of money for both my coaching and mentoring skills. My company philosophy is to offer a certain amount of pro bono work. It made sense to offer some of this to Sunderland students. I am very aware now, the challenges for undergraduates and graduates are far greater than there were in my younger days. Fees have to be paid for and there is a ‘glass ceiling’ for many of our young graduates who struggle to find work. It is with this real commitment to young people and their support into fulfilling futures, that I have offered myself as a mentor.
“I have been very fortunate in that Amy is very interested in my line of work which can only mean both parties will benefit from our three months together.”
During the university's mentoring scheme, David will help develop Amy’s skills in persuasive presentation, professional ethics and interviewing style.
Amy says: “I think these mentoring sessions will be of great benefit to me both in terms of my current studies and when I do go out into the very competitive jobs market.”
A spokesperson for the University of Sunderland said: "We are delighted that Gedanken has been able to offer Amy such a work-based experience through our mentoring scheme, we are sure she will gain valuable experience and gain the necessary skills which meet the emerging needs of employers."
Go back to Mentoring page.